Surat : Ex Gujarat Minister Forms Committee to Address Alleged Injustice in Katargam TP Scheme

Surat : Former Gujarat Minister and senior BJP leader, Nanu Vanani, has taken a bold step in response to the alleged cancellation of judicial reforms within the Town Planning (TP) schemes 49, 50, and 51 in Katargam, Surat, in 2022. Vanani has announced the formation of a committee to advocate for justice on behalf of thousands of residents who claim to have suffered due to the purportedly unjust decisions made by the State Government, which they believe favored a select group of influential individuals.

This move follows a letter that Nanu Vanani addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 19, which, according to Vanani and the residents, failed to provide a satisfactory resolution to their grievances.

The letter to Prime Minister Modi brought to light the alleged cancellation of judicial reforms carried out by the government in Katargam’s TP schemes, with claims that these actions disproportionately benefited a small group of prominent individuals while stripping away the rights of thousands of ordinary citizens.

Nanu Vanani, a seasoned BJP leader and former Gujarat minister, has made serious allegations against the decision-making process of the Town Planning Office (TPO), describing it as motivated by ulterior motives and rampant corruption. The cancellation of judicial reforms within the TP schemes is being portrayed as a move to provide significant financial gains to influential figures within the region.

Vanani cited specific instances where the TP scheme was allegedly manipulated to favor private parties, shedding light on the extent of the alleged corruption. He pointed to actions by the TPO, such as the transfer of an Open Plot (OP) owned by an individual into a Final Plot (FP) numbered 286 within TP 49, which allegedly resulted in substantial financial benefits. Furthermore, the government’s decision to revoke FP number 24, initially allotted to an individual in 2022, and subsequently reassign it, has raised suspicions of misconduct within the system.

At the core of this controversy are approximately 47 residential societies within Katargam’s TP 49. Vanani’s claims suggest that around 60,000 ordinary citizens have been adversely affected by the TP scheme’s implementation. These residents represent diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with plot sizes ranging from 35 to 138 square meters.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Samast Patidar Samaj Wadi in Katargam has allegedly come under the TP reservation due to what Nanu Vanani describes as corrupt practices by the TPO. This has led to reservations being imposed on roads and properties owned by common residents, while privileged individuals are accused of amassing significant wealth almost overnight.